Nostalgia | Durga Puja

Shines up by Grace of God, a photo by Kuntal Gupta on Flickr.

On Tuesday, I went to the temple yesterday after my classes, for Maha Ashtami Puja. It is the 8th day of Durga Puja, almost towards the end (only two more days to go). It so refreshing to sit in at a puja after quite some time. The sounds of women ululating, the clang of the bells, the booming sounds of the dhaak playing. The tinkling of the priest’s ghonta bell mingling with the verses and chants that he recited for the blessings and protection of the people of the world. The smells of incense, fresh flowers, and oil lamps. Getting drenched in shantir-jol (holy water that brings piece to those showered by it - literally translates to peace-giving water). And finally, the delicious bhog or offerings that we ate afterwards — hot khichuri and luchis and sweets. It was just lovely. 

Today is the actual last day of Durga Puja, Vijay Dashami. Today all over India, the statues of Durga are immersed in bodies of water, and it is said that she returns to her home in the Kailash Mountains. 

This weekend we will be celebrating Durga Puja in my local Bengali community with much pomp and grandeur. New clothes to wear (new saris!!!), good food, and all of my good friends and family. I can’t wait! :D

Updates Updates Updates

Hello hello!! It's been a while...This semester is sooo crazy stressful but I gotta say that it's one of the most enjoyable semesters ever. There is something awesome about being everywhere, doing a million things, keeping busy, AND studying hard. I'm loving it! A little stress is good, even though my stress level has been through the roof recently. BUT IT'S OK! Because it's fall and there are sooooo many things going on!

Things that passed:

1. Durga Puja! Loads of fun and stress, good food, nostalgia, and colors :)

 

2. Diwali just passed last week! So many lights :)

Things coming up:

*Pujas (house decorating - rangoli and diyas and flowers)

*Fall colors 

*HARRY FRICKING POTTER! OMFG! (In case the caps lock didn't tell you, I am the biggest HP fangirl alive)

*Thanksgiving with my family :)

*Final exams (ugggh)

*Christmas Holidays (food, cooking, family, a trip, and presents!)

*New Year's! (looking good in new clothes)

*SNOW!

I LOVE FALL!!!! 

{Durga Puja}

Festival season is officially here! I'm totally excited. Today is Mahalaya, which marks the first day of the official beginning of the 10 days of Durga Puja, or the worshipping of Goddess Durga. Legend has it that Durga, the warrior avatar of Goddess Parvati, was created by the energy and aura of all the other Hindu Gods when the demon Mahisasura was hell-bent on destroying both the earth and the heavens. She was able to do what no other God or man could do - defeat Mahisasura and free the earth and heavens from his terrible clutches. Thus, she is worshipped for 10 days all over India, most notably in the Eastern Indian state of West Bengal.

I'm studying in my dorm room with the Mahalaya -- an ancient recording that describes Goddess Durga's courageous feat in song, prose, poetry, and prayer - on repeat. When I was growing up in India, we travelled to Varanasi, my ancestral home in Northern India, every September/October for Durga Puja. My whole family used to gather there -- it was a great big mish mosh part full of cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, grandparents, neighbors, and so many other people. I loved the time when my Dad, every year around September, would write a letter to my school asking me to be excused for about two weeks so that we could travel to Varanasi for Durga Puja.

It's been nine years since I've been home to Varanasi for Durga Puja. I've kept in touch by going to Durga Pujas in the area. Here, my friends, aunties and uncles have become my second family, but it isn't the same. Durga Puja in the States is crammed into one weekend - two and a half days in place of 10 days of constant fun and family. I miss it dearly!

I'm sharing some images of what Durga Puja means to me -- enjoy!

 

Sindoor Khela - at the end of Durga Puja.

 

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Smokey smokey...this is what Durga Puja looks like in India. Smoke, hundreds of lamps, the heady smell of incense and sandalwood, flowers, priests, chanting and prayer.

  

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Dhunuchi Naach!

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I love the sound of dhaak drums - they are so Bengali and every time I hear them I think of puja.

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{I started writing this post last Thursday and didn't finish until now...hence the start of Mahalaya reference)

Festival Season | Nostalgia

The time is fast approaching...it's getting cooler and rainier by the day. Durga Puja, Diwali, Navaratri -- all coming up soon! There is a definitely sense of excitement in the air in my Indian community for these upcoming festivities. I grew up in India for almost half of my life, so I really miss especially this season. When I used to live in India, my whole family used to gather in one city to celebrate Durga Puja and Diwali -- it was a very fun and exciting time for me. Here, I celebrate Durga Puja and Diwali with my second family of aunties, uncles, mashis, kakus, and awesome friends :) I can't wait to start preparing for the season -- I'm already trying to figure out new ways to decorate our house for Diwali!

I love the festival season -- new clothes, bright colors, fresh flowers, the smell of incense on the altar, hot luchis (an Indian flatbread), garlands of flowers, diyas (oil lamps), and more. I found some photos that sum up the festival season perfectly :)

Bright lamps!

Delectable Indian sweets - barfis and laddoos! Last year, my mom and I spent a whole weekend cooking up batches of delicious Indian desserts - it was so much fun!

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 I love round lamps -- these red ones are so cute!

 

Priests doing Diwali puja by the Ganges river.  

 

Marigolds - always signifies auspicious occasions. It cheers up anything -- I love the bright orange/yellow hues of the flowers.  

Lamps and Rangoli :) Rangoli is a form of decoration where colored powders are used to make intricate patterns on a flat surface, usually the floor.

 

 A temple decked out in marigold garlands - so festive!

 Dhunuchi Naach during Durga Puja - one of the most fun parts about the puja!

 
I will do a big post on Durga Puja and Diwali soon, so watch out!

What are you doing this festival season?

{Note: none of these photos belong to me}